An Intro to Vr, Vc, Ar, Ac, Ad, K NeuroLinguistic Programming

Neurolinguistic programming (NLP) is a set of techniques that may be learned to improve communication, particularly non-verbal communication.

The theory is that there is an external event, which is revealed to us via our senory input (vision, hearing, smell). We ‘process’ it. We make an internal representation of the event, in the form of internal pictures, sounds or dialogue. The internal representation is also asociated with feelings (happy, sad, motivated) and this combination is called a ’stare’.

NLP is a practical aid to establishing rapport. It is based on the premise that people, who are similar to each other, like each other and are therefore more open and responsive to each other. The aim is to determine the patient’s dominant mode of internal representation and then to ‘mirror’ them so we can be ‘like them’.

Vr is visual remembered:
recalling images you have seen before.
“What did the rash look like?”

Vc is visual constructed:
creating an image in your mind’s eye.
“What would you look like if your hair were a lot longer and very curly?”

Ar is auditory remembered:
recalling voices or conversations that you’ve had before.
“Can you remember what your sister said that upset you?”

Ac is auditory constructed:
creating sounds that you have not heard before.
“What would I sound like if I swallowed helium?”

Ad is auditory digital:
your eyes move when you’re having an internal dialogue.
“My mind went blank during the exam. If only I’d said…”

K is kinaesthetic:
accessing your feelings.
“What does it feel like to touch that woolly jumper?”

If, during the consultation, a patient looks up and to their left, they are probably accessing their visual memory. They probably use their visual representation to a greater extent than their other modalities. They are more likely to memorise by seeing pictures. They might use a visual metaphor such as “I’m off colour”.

Using simple diagrams to explain things and creating verbal pictures may be a more effective form of communication with them.

Auditory people move their eyes sideways and to the right. They learn by listening and repeat things back to you easily. They respond better to verbal cues or a tone of voice. They could use an auditory metaphor such as “I’m off key”.

Kinaesthetic people often access their emotions to “get a feel” for what they are doing. They often touch people during conversations. They learn by doing something. They might say “I’m off balance”.

By picking up these non-verbal cues within a consultation, we may get an idea of the patient’s internal representational system. By matching, and mirroring them, we try to establish rapport and effective communication.

Source: registrar pulse magazine, p63 – April 15, 2002

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